The criticism of Mario Williams in his transition to outside linebacker has officially reached epidemic levels. There are some fans clamoring for a Williams trade to Philadelphia for cornerback Asante Samuel.

Those fans have been unhappy with what they've seen from Williams at his new position, even if the actual amount of work the former defensive end has had this preseason amounts to less than three quarters.

"I think the biggest thing is bending," Williams said. "I'm so tall, so I think that with my angles and keeping my knees bent and waist bent, proper angles, I think it will be a lot easier, but I'm not used to doing that as much."

"It is a change, but every step has been positive," Kubiak. " What they're trying to get him to do, it's a total change in technique in how you play and the scheme is playing and what he's being asked to do. Mario's working. Mario hasn't missed a day, except the day his dad was ill. He's been working his tail off."

On Tuesday, Williams said there was little difference in the mindset between the two positions, adding "it's still 'see ball, get ball.'"

He knows the critics are out there. He insists he isn't listening.

"I don't care what people say, man," Williams said. "This is my sixth year. I don't worry about it. I don't care what people analyze. It doesn't bother me when people analyze. You're going to analyze what you want to analyze."

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips watched over the tape from the Saints game and liked what he saw from Williams.

"When you look at the game; he had three pressures in the game against (Saints QB) Drew Brees," Phillips said. "I mean, you're not going to sack Drew Brees every play. He had three big pressures against him that in the limited time he played. He's getting there."

Ready for dress rehearsal

It promises to be the most anticipated debut of the Texans' preseason and, as of Tuesday, cornerback Johnathan Joseph was on track to make his first start this weekend in San Francisco. After practicing consecutive days, there were no setbacks as Joseph recovers from a groin injury.

"He looked good," Gary Kubiak said. "I had him work outside full-time. When we came back in, it was my understanding he wasn't supposed to work inside. I looked up, he took the first play and so I about went nuts, got him out of there.

"He took a step forward. If he keeps going, he'll get his playing time on Saturday."

Wade Phillips can't wait to see more of Joseph, who played in 12 games last year with Cincinnati and recorded 42 tackles, three interceptions and a touchdown, in a setting that actually matters.

"Just get him on the field and get him playing again," Phillips said. "He's practiced great when he's practiced. He practiced again today and he did super. We just want to get him game-acclimated."

Joseph realizes that the third preseason game is traditionally the most important of the exhibitions. He likes what he has seen so far from his new secondary - from the sidelines.

"The thing I've seen is progress being made from every week in practice to each and every day in practice as well as from each preseason game to the next preseason game," Joseph said. "I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what we do out here in the third preseason game, which everyone calls your dress rehearsal."